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(Last Updated On: )When you have a cat and dog in your home, you’ve probably already considered installing a pet gate or a cat door. This form of pet proofing is a must, especially when your dog gets into the cat food or litter box.
Before you cut a hole in your door or spend money on a pet gate, there’s an easier cat door alternative: Door Buddy.
This adjustable door strap is a great way to give your cat a safe space while keeping your dog out of trouble. It installs in seconds and doesn’t require much effort to operate.
A pet owner’s dream!
Table of Contents
What is Door Buddy?
If you’re after a cat door alternative for interior doors, Door Buddy is what you’re looking for in your home. Door Buddy offers pet owners a simple and effective dog proofing solution that is guaranteed to bring peace to your home.
After finding their toddler in the cat’s food and being fed up with bulky gates around their home, owners Shanelle and Scott knew there had to be an easier way. From there, Door Buddy was born.
With 6 years and over 18,00 5-star reviews, Door Buddy has quickly become a household name in many homes across the country as well as worldwide. Their adjustable door strap gives cats back their space by keeping dogs and toddlers out of rooms with the litter box and cat food.
One of the best things about Door Buddy is that it requires no tools to install. Using 3M adhesives, the strap sticks to the door and door frame while being adjustable to suit the width of your cat. As a result, the door stays open wide enough for cats to enter but narrow enough to keep unwanted visitors out of the room. This is a great option for those who rent or don’t want to damage their doors.
If you’re worried about slammed doors and pinched tails or fingers, their combo pack comes with a foam door stopper.
Door Buddy works on most door types, including bi-fold doors, pocket doors, and sliding doors. It’s also proudly made in the US.
How to Install Door Buddy:
Boasting a quick and simple installation, your Door Buddy can be up and running in seconds.
Important to note: Door Buddy should never be installed on drywall or wallpaper. It’s recommended to install the strap on your door and door frame only.
Unlike other dog proofing aids, Door Buddy doesn’t need a long list of instructions or your toolkit. All you need is included in the package, and to follow these 4 steps:
- Remove paper backing from parts
- Wipe the desired area clean and place the parts onto the door and door frame
- Insert the hook and adjust the width to suit your cat
- Let cure for 48-72 hours for full effectiveness
Where most people go wrong is by forgoing the curing period. This is essential to ensure that the 3M adhesives bond efficiently.
Due to the strength of these adhesives, it’s highly recommended to avoid placing the strap on drywall or wallpaper.
Naturally, there may be hesitations about an adhesive being able to withhold your dog’s strength. For this reason, Door Buddy offers its customers various installation options.
Their installation method 3 has been most effective for more robust dogs. This requires you to install the strap on the back of the door and the inside of the door frame. You can find a complete installation guide on their site here.
Another key benefit of this product is its reusability. Should you relocate or find a different need for it, you can remove it as effortlessly as you installed it. All you need to do is take a hairdryer and heat the adhesives for several minutes, twist the parts until they separate, and roll up the remaining glue with your fingers.
Fishing wire works too! Just slot it between the heated glue and parts and slide from side to side. This is the best method for minimal residue.
Key Features:
- Simple lock and unlock latch for convenient access to rooms
- Customizable width to suit cat’s width or needs
- Foam door stopper in combo pack prevents slammed doors
- Made in the US
- Sticks with 3M Adhesives
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Where You Can Use Door Buddy:
Finding the right cat door or pet gate for your entry can be a huge headache for pet owners. As mentioned, one of Door Buddy’s best benefits is that it works on most door types.
If you have a sliding door, pocket, or bi-fold door, pet gates and doors are out of the question. Door types, door handles, door materials, and door finishes all contribute to the setup too. Plus, the size, shape, and temperament of your cat and dog will definitely be unique to you as well.
Although many pet gates and cat doors allow some to adjust their size, it’s sometimes not enough to suit your home. That’s where Door Buddy comes in. The adjustability of the strap and the adhesives on the plastic parts give you the flexibility to install it the way that will best suit your needs.
Door Buddy works on:
- Pocket doors
- Bi-fold doors
- Double doors
- Sliding doors
- Dutch doors
- Barn doors
Alternatively, some Door Buddy customers have even used their product as a cabinet or a litter box lock. These straps are multi-purpose and offer an array of safety solutions for your pets.
Will Door Buddy Work for My Dog?
If you browse Door Buddy’s FAQ section, you will see that the most commonly asked question is whether or not it will work for someone’s dog and temperament. Understandably, this concern is valid given the simplicity of the design.
Unfortunately, if your dog is smaller than your cat, it won’t work. In some cases, when dogs are about the same size as your cat, it can be possible. You will need to set the width of the strap tight enough to let the cat in but not the dog. Cats can be pretty liquid and squeeze through tighter spaces, so do try to judge it by your cat’s head size or shoulder width. The narrowest width is approximately 2 inches.
As for bigger dogs, don’t be fooled by the fact that it is a strap. Following the correct installation methods and leaving the adhesives to cure will ensure maximum power. As mentioned, installation method 3 is best for bigger and stronger dogs.
If you are concerned if it will suit your dog, Door Buddy’s Amazon storefront has over 18,000 5-star reviews for you to search. With thousands of pet owners finding success with the product, you can try searching for your dog’s breed.
Of course, there’s a 60-day money-back guarantee if it doesn’t suit your needs.
Why Does My Dog Eat Cat Poop?
Reviews aside, you may be wondering why your dog eats cat poop. What is with the obsession, and is it bad for your dog?
Understanding this concept is essentially why Door Buddy was created. After speaking with pet owners, it became clear that this wasn’t a problem for a few but rather the majority.
So, why do dogs eat cat poop? The answer is quite basic. Dogs are natural scavengers, and the scents from the cat’s business are irresistible. Just as your dog can’t keep out of the cat’s food, those meaty scents linger in the after-effects too.
Although these tootsie rolls may not directly harm your dog, there is a more profound concern. Dogs often scavenge in the litter box because they face a nutrient deficiency. A dog’s diet is fundamental to its health and could be the main contributor to this off-putting habit.
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself or your vet:
- Is your dog on the right diet plan for their size and needs?
- Are there any underlying behavioral problems that need addressing?
- Are they struggling with separation anxiety?
- Have there been any major changes to your routine?
Regardless of what is happening, one thing is for sure: your cat needs a safe space. Cats are territorial creatures and having someone invade their private sanctuary can be a recipe for disaster.
From the litter box to food, we highly recommend finding a spot away from your dog that belongs to your cat. Using Door Buddy will ensure that this room remains off-limits while allowing your cat the freedom to come and go.
Final Thoughts
Protecting your cat’s space is the most crucial component of ensuring your pets get along. No one wants to find their dog eating out of the litter box – especially your cat. Thanks to Door Buddy, you can now do this without the hassle of a baby gate or the damage of a cat door.
Door Buddy’s adjustable pet strap offers its customers a simple and effective interior cat door. While your cat will enjoy having some privacy, pet owners will love its customizability and usefulness. You can view their products here.
Ian is an avid outdoorsman and dog lover. He lives in Central Florida with his wife Heather, and their 2 dogs – Panda (Purebread Rough Collie X English Golden Retriever) & Kuma (Blue Merl Purebread Rough Collie)
